The 20th anniversary of the Korean Air Force falls on October 1 this year.

Following the liberation of this country from the Japanese rule, expatriate Korean pilots returned
home from their oversea exiles and began an undertaking to create our own air force. Subsequently, on
September 13, 1948, our air force was started as an Army Aviation Unit with a few L-4 planes received
from the U.S. It was still at its fledgling stage when the Korean War was broken out in 1950.
During the war, it had to carry out combat missions while undergoing trainings and treading through a
thorny path, it has grown up and has become a modern and formidable air force as it is today, equipped
with the most sophisticated Phantom fighters and other up-to-date equipment, forming an air-tight
defence line against possible air attack from north. It is because of this formidable Air Force that
stands on vigilant guard day and night that our people rest reassured despite the intensifying
provocative actions by the North Korean Communists who are frantically looking for a chance to invade
the south.

The Ministry of Communications issues two stamps in order to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the
Korean Air Force which has grown up as the most powerful air force in the Far East in the face of
various challenges and hardships.